Singaporean mixed martial arts fighter Angela Lee is reportedly considering retirement from her professional fighting career.
Chatri Sityodtong, the CEO of One Championship, shed some light on Angela’s future in the sport during a conversation with the South China Morning Post. This news comes less than six months after the tragic passing of Angela’s sister and fellow MMA fighter, Victoria Lee, on December 26, 2022.
While the exact cause of Victoria’s death has not been disclosed to the public, Angela has urged fans to refrain from spreading conspiracy theories and speculating about the circumstances. The Lee family is currently going through a devastating period of grief and healing.
In a recent interview, Chatri revealed that Angela has expressed that she has not yet made a final decision about retiring, but she no longer possesses the drive or motivation to fight or train. He emphasized that this is a deeply personal decision for Angela, and they have not discussed any work-related matters.
Tragic passing
Victoria, known by her nickname “The Prodigy,” passed away at the age of 18. Her professional One Championship debut took place two years prior, where she achieved an impressive 3-0 record. She was set to make her return in January 2023 but tragically passed away on Boxing Day. Angela announced her sister’s passing on January 8. Victoria would have celebrated her 19th birthday on May 17.
In an emotional Instagram post, Angela expressed that life will never be the same without her beloved sibling. Since their early years, the Lee siblings were trained by their Singaporean father, Ken Lee, and Korean mother at the family’s United MMA gym in Hawaii. However, the gym has been permanently closed since January 2023.
Christian Lee, Victoria’s brother and holder of the lightweight and welterweight titles, intends to resume training but will take a break until next year, according to Chatri. However, Christian will need to find a new coach as their father, who previously served as his trainer, has retired from coaching entirely.
Moving forward, One Championship plans to crown interim champions in the weight divisions formerly held by Angela and Christian. Chatri mentioned that he has sought Christian’s approval on this matter and hopes to finalize the arrangements in the coming months.
Victoria Lee Day
January 14, which was Victoria’s last scheduled fight date, will be commemorated as “Victoria Lee Day” in One Championship every year. Additionally, the Singapore-based Evolve MMA gym, of which Victoria was a member, will award several scholarships to aspiring young fighters. Furthermore, Chatri will establish the Victoria Lee Award, which will be presented annually to a fighter who exemplifies exceptional dedication in giving back to their community.
Chatri gives an update on the Lee family.
— SCMP Martial Arts (@scmpmartialarts) June 13, 2023
Angela "doesn’t have it in her to fight or train any more" while Christian "hasn't trained at all" since Victoria's death. Their father Ken has "completely retired" from coaching.
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